A FORMER Greenock psychiatric nurse charged with sexually assaulting vulnerable patients could be acquitted after a report suggested he may not have been criminally responsible for his alleged actions.

Graham Davis had been due to stand trial on Monday on a catalogue of charges but the case has now been adjourned until next year after the sheriff court was made aware of a psychological assessment report.

It is understood that the document — commissioned by his defence lawyers — suggests that Davis, 50, has a defence under section 51a of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act.

The legislation states: 'A person is not criminally responsible for conduct constituting an offence, and is to be acquitted of the offence, if the person was at the time of the conduct unable by reason of mental disorder to appreciate the nature or wrongfulness of the conduct.'

Solicitor Gerry Keenan told the court: "The psychological report says he may well have a section 51a defence and a psychiatric assessment should be obtained.

"The report has not been discussed with the accused."

Davis is said to have groped one woman after turning up unannounced at her home.

He is also accused of inappropriately touching another patient within the mental health services unit at Crown House.

Prosecutors say he went on to target a female colleague at the Langhill Clinic, as well as another patient within her home.

Davis is facing a total of six charges spanning a timeframe of nearly two years, from January 1 in 2016 to November 30, 2017.

He was originally due to stand trial in May but the case was adjourned amid concerns for his physical health.

The court was told that Davis had suffered a heart attack followed by a stroke which, it was argued by his lawyer David Nicolson, could have impaired his cognitive abilities.

On joint motion of the Crown and the defence, the trial which had been set for Monday was discharged.

The case is now due to call again on February 22, ahead of a rescheduled trial set for March 22.